WWE SmackDown 5 Takeaways: AJ Styles’ Odds Improve Even In Defeat

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2. The Entire Shinsuke Nakamura, Baron Corbin, And Randy Orton Segment Was Great

Three of the men’s Royal Rumble combatants made a big splash last night in a match and in the post-match as well.  In an impromptu battle between two of SmackDown’s top stars, the fireworks were only beginning during the match.

A backstage interview earlier in the night with Shinsuke Nakamura was interrupted by Baron Corbin.  The Lone Wolf called out Nakamura before The King Of Strong Style challenged Corbin to a match later in the night.  The match was made official and would go on to exceed expectations.

These two superstars have battled in the past, but none of the matches stood out.  Until last night and not only did Nakamura and Corbin have a very good match, one could make the argument that it was Corbin’s best non-Triple Threat, non-AJ Styles match in the WWE.  It went back and forth until the end where Nakamura looked poised to get the win.

But just as Nakamura had things where he wanted them, he was intercepted by an RKO outta nowhere by Randy Orton.  It was awesome and spontaneous, but The Viper wouldn’t discriminate and hit Corbin with an RKO as well to further stake his claim heading into the Royal Rumble.  All in all, this whole segment was great and well-done, but most importantly, it was perfectly booked to keep Nakamura’s Royal Rumble match win hopes intact.

It’s rare to get excited about a Corbin match, but his match with The King Of Strong Style and subsequent Orton interaction was awesome.